- Saturday, 09 August 2014 06:44
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
It's day six of our summer sabbatical and thankfully it is now nearing it's end. Even so, there is plenty to keep us entertained this afternoon with six meetings on the level from Ascot, Ayr, Haydock, Lingfield, Newmarket and Redcar. The big meeting of the day is at Ascot as they host the Shergar Cup meeting - it is always interesting to see how all the international jockeys fare against each other in a competition like this, let's hope that it draws a big crowd to the Berkshire course. Meanwhile, former champion jockey and current title leader Ryan Moore travels to Haydock for a strong book of six rides and I would imagine there is a winner or two among them. Indeed, William Buick, Kieren Fallon and Joe Fanning all have mounts at the track.
- Friday, 08 August 2014 06:34
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Day five of our summer sabbatical and there are five meetings on the level to keep us entertained. They are from Musselburgh, Brighton, Lingfield, Newmarket and Haydock - once again there is an excellent piece of race planning with Lingfield and Brighton within relatively close proximity of each other. Am I the only one to see these glaringly obvious errors? Surely we should be looking to cast our net far and wide to attract the biggest audience to our sport...or am I missing something?
- Thursday, 07 August 2014 06:40
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Day four of our summer sabbatical and this afternoon we have six meetings to look forward to from Brighton, Haydock, Yarmouth, Sandown, Newcastle and Southwell. Today's wooden spoon goes to Southwell who have just £28,000 in prize money for their seven race card. To further highlight the difference between the two countries, over in Ireland Leopardstown are putting up £134,000 in prize money while even their jumps card at Sligo is worth £75,000. If you finish fourth at Southwell this afternoon the owners can expect to pick up the princely sum £144...I don't think that will cover too many people's expenses!
- Wednesday, 06 August 2014 06:45
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Well, it's now day three of our summer sabbatical and I am now desperately missing my jumps action. There are four meetings taking place on the level from Brighton, Kempton, Pontefract and Yarmouth and while there are a few competitive handicaps it isn't exactly an inspiring days racing. That is especially true at Yarmouth where the biggest field boasts eight runners - hardly surprising when you consider there is barely £30,000 in prize money on offer across their seven race card. Over in Ireland there is almost £80,000 on offer at Sligo...perhaps we could learn from the Irish model, less racing and more prize money? Still, it is a big day tomorrow as entries close for the jumps meeting at Newton Abbot (pictured above) next Wednesday - I can't wait!
- Tuesday, 05 August 2014 06:50
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
David broke the news in his column yesterday that conditional jockey Kieron Edgar (pictured above winning at Cheltenham aboard Home Run) has been cleared to ride again by Dr Turner following a nasty fall at Newbury on 1st March which left him with his femur fractured in three places. Talk about a tease, I'm sure the young Scottish jockey is deseperate to get back into the saddle but he was cleared on the first day of the summer break, meaning that his first opportunity to race ride will not be until a week on Wednesday at the very earliest...how tantalising is that?! Anyway, it will be good to have him back in the saddle, Kieron is good value for his 5lbs claim so let's hope that he is able to carry on where he left off and he picks up a few outside rides. Last season was his best yet with 12 winners until the campaign was brought to it's premature end.
- Monday, 04 August 2014 06:59
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
The spoils once again went to champion jockey A P McCoy yesterday as he rode no fewer than four winners at Market Rasen to take his seasonal tally to an incredible 89 as we head into the enforced summer break. Tom Scu kept his momentum going with a winner for David Bridgwater and he is next in the standings with 42 victories, by the far the best start to a season that he has enjoyed. Of course 'Tom Tom' will be enjoying a slightly longer holiday than most of his compatriots following his error of judgement at Cartmel last month.
- Sunday, 03 August 2014 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Eggleton
Well, Glorious Goodwood is over for another year and what a fantastic week they have had there. I must say, you should go along if you ever get the opportunity to attend. It is without doubt one of the most finely appointed tracks in the country, hosts top class racing and is in a stunning location to boot...what more could you want? Anyway on to today's action and there are three meetings taking place this afternoon; two on the level at Chester and Newbury and a jumps card from Market Rasen. It's a funny card at Chester with largely small fields punctuated by a big Listed contest and a competitive handicap.
